SOME INFO ON AL MAGDALENO

​1965 - Al Magdaleno was born in Oahu, Hawaii. His father joined the military, was stationed in Hawaii and moved his wife, Susan Bravo went with him. Immediately my father, Al Magdaleno Sr, went to join the war in Vietnam. At 2 years old, his family moved to California to be with therest of his family.

1986 - Al Magdaleno followed his grandfather and father's footsteps and joined the Military in 1986 for a 6 year enlistment as a Sonar Technician - hunting and identifying submarines around the globe. He was stationed in Charleston, SC to do drug operations in the Caribbean but soon was sent to the Middle East, Persian Gulf and since there were not submarines involved, he was training in .50 cal gun, M 60 machine guns and other various weapons to escort fuel tankers and prevent Iran from closing the Straits of Hormuz.

1989 - Al was sent again to Middle East, Persian Gulf to free Kuwait from Iraq.

1991 - Al Magdaleno was once again sent to the Middle East during Iraqi Freedom

I was honorably discharged from the military in 1995. Never thinking I'd be in the military for almost 10 years. But I learned a lot and traveled throughout the world. I've seen Selfless Acts Of Kindness in every part of the world. I've also seen the atrocities that humans can do to each other.

Now we are 50 to 80 strong and growing. Some community member approached me and wanted to give this community charity its own Nonprofit status as a 501(c)(3). As of March 2016, I officially called our charity Citizens Of The World and we were was granted nonprofit status by the IRS.

We still do the Christmas thing every year but now we are making a larger difference and granting wishes to those in need or fall through the cracks. Here's the catch, you can't wish for yourself! You have to see someone in need and nominate them to receive your wish. We then get with the community, film and surprise them in unique ways. We film in hope that others will get inspired and do the same.

We have 2 motto's:

1. We are Citizens of cities,We are citizens of countriesBut together we areCITIZENS OF THE WORLD

2. Now, we can't help everyone, butEveryone can help someone.Thank you

I decided to ask the community to donate. But here was my idea that is still strong today. Don't just donate, COME WITH ME! Donations came in and I also tell everyone, even if you can't donate or are low on money, come anyway. I have cards for you to give out.

HOW IT ALL STARTED - DEC 25TH 2000

Out of the military for a bit and searching for some self awareness in this crazy world, I chose to live in Fort Lauderdale.

Being new to FTL, I didn't know many people and my first Christmas was spent wonder what to do. I wanted to volunteer but I kept running into conflicts with where most of their donations went. Many going to pay CEO's and employees etc.

So, I got some of my own money together, bought some gift cards to local stores and walked down the street asking if anyone needed a gift cards. I asked a friend, Danny to come with me.

The next year, Danny asked if I was doing the same thing? I hadn't planned on it but I said yes and Danny brought friends that wanted to experience what Danny had the previous year.